THE BOOK OF THE OTTER 



after in this respect than smooth-coated ones. 



The huntsman should see that his hounds are 



fed and properly bedded down before he attends 



to his own wants. If hounds look well and hunt 



well, you can rest assured that your huntsman 



or feeder is paying proper attention to the pack 



in kennel. As regards kennels, these need not 



be of an expensive nature, but the drainage and 



general sanitation must be adequate if hounds 



are to keep fit. Wherever waste matter is 



present, either in the boiling house, feeding 



place, or yards, there will disease germs gather, 



and complaints amongst hounds will be for ever 



breaking out. The old adage " Cleanliness is 



next to godliness " applies as much to hounds 



and their kennels as it does to human beings 



and their houses. 



Some huntsmen are apt to let hounds get yery 



much out of condition during the winter months, 



instead of exercising regularly, which means that 



on the approach of the hunting season all sorts 



of physic is used in an attempt to get them fit 



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